Category: Women’s History in the American West
-
Breaking Trail: Tillie Baldwin
Anna Matilda Winger was born in 1888 in Avendale, Norway. She emigrated to the United States in 1902 and lived with her aunt in New York. She was 14 years old at the time and would go on to become a very talented rodeo cowgirl despite never riding a horse before…
-
Breaking Trail: Florence Hughes Randolph
Florence Hughes Randolph was born in 1898 in Augusta, Georgia. She learned how to ride on plow mules. She learned to Trick and Roman ride with Colonel King’s IXL Ranch Wild West show. In 1916, she organized Princess Mohawk’s Wild West Hippodrome. She performed with traveling carnivals. Florence defeated thirteen…
-
Breaking Trail: Ruth Roach
Known as “The World’s Most Beautiful Cowgirl,” Ruth Roach was born in 1896 at Excelsior Springs, Missouri. She learned to ride on her uncle’s donkeys and then joined the 101 Ranch Wild West Show at the age of sixteen. She married Buck Roach in 1914. Ruth entered her first rodeo…
-
Breaking Trail: Tad Barnes Lucas
Barbara Barnes, better known as “Tad Lucas” was born in 1902. She grew up around Cody, Nebraska learning to ride horses. She was given the nickname “Tadpole” as a baby and it was eventually shortened to “Tad.” Tad would become one of the most fearless and innovative trick riders in…
The Active Historian 